We’re LIVE from the Hawks’ . . . final game?
This series has been a laugher for Orlando, while the Hawks ...
We’ve all witnessed playoff disappointments before. Two weeks ago, I listed what I believed to be the seven greatest postseason flops in Atlanta pro sports history. The Hawks were on the verge of joining the infamous group at the time, only to show some resolve when down 3-2 against Milwaukee and win the next two games to make it to round two.
This second-round series against Orlando isn’t a playoff flop. It’s just an embarrassment. It would leave fans with an ugly hangover, sort of
like when the Falcons made their
... are hiding their faces after losing three games by 87 points.
miracle run to the Super Bowl, only to have Eugene Robinson get arrested on the eve of the game.
Nobody — at least no rational thinking person — really believed the Hawks would defeat the Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
But most of us figured they would at least compete against the Magic and had a chance to win one or two games. Instead, they’ve played hard for three quarters in Game 2 in Orlando and were comatose for the other nine. They’ve not only have been blown out twice, including Saturday’s Game 3 at home, but Joe Johnson showed little concern for the Hawks’ disgruntled fan base.
Tonight at Philips Arena, there’s a good chance it will end. The Magic have won the first three games by deficits of 43, 14 and 30 points. The Hawks are only the fourth team in NBA playoff history to lose two games of a playoff series by 30 or more points (nobody has suffered that distinction three times).
Tonight could be Johnson’s final game as a Hawk. It also could be Mike Woodson’s final game as head coach.
What happens? Do they get blown out again, or do they show a little pride — and possibly lose any way? And is it in them to actually win a game?
When asked how difficult it would be to rebound off a game like Saturday’s 105-75 loss, guard Jamal Crawford said bef0re the game: “It’s hard. It’s harder the same night because you can’t sleep and the game just replays in your head. After you see the tape, you feel a little bit better but it still lingers with you. This game can’t come fast enough.
“We just have to have some pride. This is not a No. 1 vs. No. 16 seed in the NCAA tournament. This is a No. 2 seed and No. 3 seed. We knew we were on a possible collision course. We just have to go out and play hard.”
That would be a nice change.
How hard do you believe the Hawks will play — and do you think it would make a difference in the result?
♦
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492 comments Add your comment
Greg
May 10th, 2010
10:46 pm
Wonder what Joe will say tonight. Most NBA players are such prima donna’s, that this is probably going to work against the Hawks.
Chris Webber was talking about it on TNT before the game tonight. He defended JJ to some degree and attacked the fans of Atlanta. Webber called the Atlanta fans “front runners”, even when Barkley complimented them for showing more support over the past few years. Front runners? The Hawks were 8 games below .500 3 years ago and only got into the playoffs because the East was awful, they were a 4 seed last year and a 3 seed this year. Before that, they flat out sucked for many years.
MitchC
May 10th, 2010
10:47 pm
The last time I remember an Atlanta team being so humilated like this was the 1999 World Series. As baseball fans know, the Braves got swept four straight in that series, and only Game Three was close. I didnt think an Atlanta team would have a series like that again in a best of seven series. I was very wrong.
So, summer has come for the Hawks with the same result as last year. They go down in the Eastern Conference semis.
This team has reached its peak. It is not a championship team. I know my friend Mark Bradley thinks we have to keep Joe Johnson. My question is: Why give a guy a max contract, only to lose in the Eastern semis every year?
I honestly dont know where this team goes from here. Even if they get rid of Woodson, does that mean that next year they can play with the Orlandos, Clevelands, and Lakers of the world? I honestly dont think so, no matter who the coach is.
Harpie
May 10th, 2010
10:47 pm
There’s a BAD SMELL in Atlanta, Ga – and it’s name is Mike Woodson!!!!!!!
Mr. Suwanee
May 10th, 2010
10:47 pm
It don’t bother me when they boo. I could care less if they show up. Famous last words.
Tech75
May 10th, 2010
10:50 pm
Joe will keep his big mouth shut if he has any brain at all. Just shut up and move on, Joe. You’ve committed a Mike Vick and you won’t be forgiven.
Greg
May 10th, 2010
10:52 pm
Steve, Childress was the only high draft pick we let get away….and he was a role player, not a difference maker. Shelden Williams and Acie Law sucked and we let them go. Marvin Williams sucks too, but we probably couldn’t give him away. That’s four wasted high draft picks, but that doesn’t change the fact that Woody has failed miserably in his attempt to coach up the current group of players when it matters most.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
10:53 pm
Bibby and Marvin need to go
Mr. Suwanee
May 10th, 2010
10:54 pm
Somebody tell Marvin Williams that the game is over now. Get your check and go home.
Tech75
May 10th, 2010
10:54 pm
Mitch, we can’t keep Johnson after his lack of performance and his statements about the fans.
The only way he could possibly turn it around is to do it with performance when it counts, and he has failed EPICALLY at each opportunity.
And he thinks he deserves a max contract… maybe someone will give it to him, but if I’m going to give a max contract I want it to go to a game-changer – not Joe “the disappearing man” Johnson.
northcyde
May 10th, 2010
10:56 pm
Some of you guys are going to be in for a RUDE AWAKENING next season. I’m not happy that JJ sold us out in this series ( so did some other people, but JJ was the main culprit ). But I’m definitely not going to be happy when I see the makeup of this team next year.
We’re going to see how good of a GM Rick Sund is. Let’s see what “star” or group of “solid players” he brings in to replace JJ, and let’s see what coach he goes out and finds.
Damn . . . Dwight almost shot 90% FG for the series . . . and ya’ll think JJ was/is the main problem? Nope. He’s only part of the overall disease that keeps us from getting to that next level.
Playmaking PG ( who can play defense ) and a defensive C . . is what this team lacks more than anything in the world. And it’s been like that since Mookie and Dikembe left.
But now, we need both of those elements . . PLUS another star player.
Crawford better enjoy his honeymoon status with the fan base right now, because the heat is going to be ALL ON HIM next year. I hope he’s up to the challenge of being the efficient scoring leader on the team. If not, the fans will turn on him too . . . and Josh Smith.
Oh well . . . good season that ended in tragedy. Try again next year.
Jimmy
May 10th, 2010
10:59 pm
JJ needs to play opposite a superstar player.
He won’t take us to the promised land as our star.
He averages 21 points per game and he is number one in minutes played and field goals attempted.
Harry The Hawk
May 10th, 2010
11:00 pm
@northcyde
Here’s the problem as told by ESPN:
“When Smith glanced up at the “Kiss Cam” while Woodson drew up a play during a first-half timeout, an Atlanta fan screamed, “Pay attention, Josh!”
Greg
May 10th, 2010
11:01 pm
Mr. Suwanee, there isn’t much evidence to show that Marvin ever realized this game(or the series, for that matter) ever started. Seriously, the guy can play an entire quarter and you don’t even know he’s out there.
Tech75
May 10th, 2010
11:03 pm
Sund has his work cut out for him. After this debacle there has to be significant changes for anyone to believe this team can move beyond the first round.
To get past the second round in the playoffs, you have to have a couple of aces, minimum. The Hawks have none. Orlando had Howard and Carter, both killers. Cleveland has LeBron and Shaq. Boston has Garnett, Pierce, Allen….. do you detect a pattern here?
Woody is gone, let’s assume that. You also have to get rid of Marvin, JJ, and Bibby. Horford, Crawford, ZaZa are keepers (ZaZa as a backup); Josh is a headcase, he needs a change of scenery. Everybody else is expendable.
Horford and ZaZa may be the only two players CAPABLE of playing team basketball.
#Sorry A** HAWKS
May 10th, 2010
11:04 pm
well at least the Magic took the Hawks out of their misery I would have gotten swept too if I didn’t win game 3 rather than go back to Orlando and lose by possibly 50+pts I just think this team is not ready for a championship yet until we get a championship mentality…
**WE HAD THE BEST RECORD IN THE NBA WHEN THE SEASON GOT STARTED (11-2)
AND THAT IS WHY SO MANY PEOPLE REALLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO DO SO WELL ONCE THE PLAYOFFS CAME
BUT NOW COME TO LOOK AT WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IF THE BUCKS TOOK US TO 7 GAMES THEN IMAGINE WHAT THE MAGIC WERE GOING TO DO TO US!!
THEN WE NEED TO REALIZE HOW SORRY WE GOT AFTER ALL STAR BREAK YEAH WE STARTED OUR HOME WINNING STREAK AT PHILIPS BUT THEN ON THE ROAD WE BEGAN TO SUCK WE JUST STOPPED GIVING A DAMN AND ALL OF THAT CAME BACK TO BITE THE HAWKS IN THE ASS AND NOW THEY ARE FISHING AND TRYING TO HEAL ALL OF THERE WOUNDS
I AM STILL GOING TO SUPPORT THEM NEXT YEAR BUT LIKE THAT SIGN SAYS “JOE WE DON’T CARE IF U SHOW UP EITHER”" CAUSE U HAVEN’T AND WE CAN FIND SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY CARES BECAUSE FOR TWO YEARS STR8 U HAVE SHOWN NOTHING WHERE IS THE JOE FROM THE CELTICS SERIES BACK IN ‘08 WHERE IS THAT SAME HAWKS TEAM THAT HAD SO MUCH HEART AND EFFORT
I JUST THINK THERE IS SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED LIKE SO MANY MISSING PARTS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO BECAUSE THIS IS EMBARRASSING AND THESE LOSSES ALL CAME ON NATIONAL TV
AND WE CAN’T BLAME JOSH FOR EVEN WALKING NOW DURING GAME #2 OR WHICHEVER ONE IT IS WAS BECAUSE OUR STAR PLAYER DIDN’T SHOW UP SO IMAGINE HIS EFFECT ON HIS SUPPORTING CAST I CANT BLAME AL BECAUSE HE TRIED BUT DWIGHT JUST TRAINED HIM PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY ON THE COURT!!
I THINK THAT THE HAWKS PLAYERS JUST COULDNT DEFEND DWIGHT SO THEY GOT SO FRUSTRATED THAT THEY COULDN’T CONCENTRATE ON THE OFFENSIVE END ITS DISAPPOINTING AFTER A 50+ WINNING SEASON GREAT PLAYS AND HOW CLOSE THIS GROUP IS SUPPOSE 2 DO SO WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP
#HAWKS JUST DON’T HAVE HEART
Tech75
May 10th, 2010
11:08 pm
How about Woody’s “I don’t coach effort” statement after game 2?
What a dolt. Hey Woody – get out the Webster’s and look up “motivation” and “leadership”.
PMC
May 10th, 2010
11:10 pm
This team was a lot of fun to watch most of the year for that I’m happy for that. They got beat by a vastly better team that was a lot more motivated. Hopefully they can learn from it.
May Rick Sund not commit the sins of the Knights and Babcocks that have come before him.
When you compare what the other teams that will be left have to what this team has…. they did pretty well really… when they tried. The only thing that really hurt my heart in this series was the lack of will. I hope that doesn’t happen again. I really thought that Boston series a few years ago would be the end of that. It took Orlando last year to lose and learn to focus. Maybe these Hawks can learn that too.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
11:11 pm
This is to blame for a big part on Sund! He pulled the chair from under Woodson’s behind by not offering (or at least showing any interest in offering) an extension to his coach!
It became all too clear in these playoffs the players did what they wanted, not what he wanted. Why would a bunch of overpaid cry-babies listen to him? Ask Josh Smith in a couple of weeks what he did during the play-offs! He will tell you: “Watching too much games on TNT!”. If he would learn from them, that would be good. My guess he just tries to improve his Xbox or Wii skills. And why would they exhaust themselves or get their shirts wet for the supporters? They have their contracts, what do they care about the money the fans have to pay to come and watch a game? Why do the supporters come out? The players (correction: the Hawks crew) don’t care if they are there or not (dixit JJ), but they do expect the people paying hard earned dollars to cheer their lackluster performance and surely are not allowed to boo those so called super stars!
Anyone noticed Joe and Josh at the end of the embarrassing sweep, sitting on the bench like they were discussing their overdue vacation plans? Disgusting! Not even trying to show (honestly or faked) any sign of being ashamed of this lack of effort! Why would they… they are sure of their next couple of millions next year anyway!
I said it before, Sund won’t have a tough summer. The toughest task ahead will be to convince the couple of worthy players to stay with the Hawks. Second toughest task: get in shape to get a good aim at those fat behinds and kick them to the the other side of the continent, to be grabbed up by any other team not playing NBA. Or if he gets a good work-out over the coming weeks, he can aim and kick them out over the ocean. There are some second tier teams over there that would welcome this garbage, and if they can save on itinerary cost, ,,, KICK THEM HARD, SUND!!!
If you are smart, Mr. Sund, the next team you try to build, please include a clause in their contract that if they don’t show up during the post-season, they have to reimburse 90% of their contracts (50% to the organization, 50% to the supporters paying hard dollars).
Disgusted of such a performance and the same old lame comments and excuses, and the outrageous lack of respect for their fan base, glad now we can see the rest of the play-offs without having to be ashamed having to call one of the remaining teams “home team”!
TheAntiMe
May 10th, 2010
11:11 pm
You have to give them credit, Hawks fans. Your Atlanta Hawks don’t just stink. They stink worse than any team in the history of the NBA playoffs. Quite an accomplishment, no doubt.
Bob Weiss
May 10th, 2010
11:13 pm
We learned quite a bit from this series. 1) Woodson isn’t a big league coach. He made absolutely no adjustments the entire series. 2) Joe Johnson isn’t a max player. Losing him to free agency just doesn’t seem like a big deal anymore. He reminds me of when the Knicks gave Allen Houston a $100 million contract. That didn’t work out well. 3) Al Hortford needs to move back to PF. He just isn’t a center. 4) Signing Marvin Williams to a long-term contract was a huge mistake. He is just an ordinary player in this league. 5) This team needs a true center. We don’t need to find the next Shaq, but someone that can somewhat match up against Howard. We aren’t going anywhere without finding a defensive presence down low. 6) The quit in Josh Smith was contagious. I wish I had an answer for him. You hate to trade such a talent. As much as I’d like to make a bunch of changes on this team, the fact is they did win 53 games. Sund will have his hands full this offseason.
Hawks make quick exit against Orlando, change is a must | Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
11:17 pm
[...] ♦ We’re LIVE from the Hawks’ . . . final game? [...]
Greg
May 10th, 2010
11:21 pm
Alien in ATL, good god, man, you think the Hawks problems relate to Woodson not getting a contract??? The guy is not a leader, is not a tactician(to put it mildly) and is not a developer of players. He’s won 2 playoff series in 6 years….and it took 7 games for the Hawks to win both of those against inferior competition.
Woodson needed to prove in the postseason that this team is still moving in the right direction….at least moving toward competing with the league’s elite. Obviously, he failed miserably in that respect. Nothing can save him now. Most lopsided series in NBA history(outscored by over 100 pts in 4 games) when you have 2 nba all-star’s in JJ and Horford, another guy in Josh Smith that many thought should have been an all-star and the 6th man of the year in Crawford. That’s atrocious.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
11:23 pm
Sad to say, but I a afraid coach Woodson’s days are counted. Too bad it had to end this way!
I agree with some on this blog that many of us will be remembering the good days we had under him. I really believe many of us will have many regrets seeing him beat the Hawks’ behinds for years to come with another team, a team that listens to him, a team that doesn’t let cry-babies like Josh Smith act like a star player, a team that shows respect to its fan base (Joe J.?), a team that has pride and doesn’t need to be told to come out with energy every night.
I hope I am wrong, and that Mr. Sund will take some tough but right decisions, but I am afraid I have to say: ” Good-bye, Coach Woodson. Thanks for the 5 years you gave us all you had! Good luck in your future, and I am sure many Hawks fans will realize only in a couple of years what you did!”
-_-
May 10th, 2010
11:24 pm
Joe Johnson should consider joinig the D-League
-_-
May 10th, 2010
11:24 pm
Joe Johnson should consider joining the D-League
-_-
May 10th, 2010
11:26 pm
Alien in ATL
deep stuff, you’re making me cry
TheAntiMe
May 10th, 2010
11:26 pm
Mr. Suwanee, there isn’t much evidence to show that Marvin ever realized this game(or the series, for that matter) ever started. Seriously, the guy can play an entire quarter and you don’t even know he’s out there.
How true. It’s very sad. Once almost every game Marvin will take it strong to the hoop and slam it like Dominique. Then, for all intents and purposes, his work is done until the next game. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Greg
May 10th, 2010
11:31 pm
I have never once seen anything in Marvin that reminded me of Dominique. If Dominique got near the hoop, he was going to dunk on you so you best just get out of the way. Marvin will dunk it if no one is within 10 feet of him. Otherwise, he goes up with some weak crap and get his shot blocked.
#Sorry A** HAWKS
May 10th, 2010
11:31 pm
the magic exploited our weaknesses and Stan Van Gundy simply out coached Woody and showed us how terrible our coach is
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
11:35 pm
Greg,
It only shows the lack of effort of these so-called stars, thinking they have made it because of an overrated status, knowing all to well that their contracts are guaranteed, if it be in Atlanta or somewhere else, not having to worry about a coach who they would have to respond to coming back for practice after their vacation, and who wouldn’t be able to bench them next season neither.
If you honestly think the next coach, at least the ones that are currently available, will be able to get more out of these lazy cry-babies, well, you’re up for a lot more frustration! I would have kicked their lazy behinds off of my bench during the 4th game of the Milwaukee series and played with the ones showing hearth, no matter with how many points we would have lost (probably with less than with what this bunch of losers showed).But that is of course one of the reasons I am not a coach and never will be, because the overpaid so-called and self exclaimed super stars would never accept someones honest opinion.
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
11:41 pm
I think Mike Woodson is a sincere guy and a solid coach. Bottom line, the guys haven’t responded. Management won’t completely blow up this team but what have we learned here in the playoffs? We have some players who didn’t elevate their game, Josh made too many bad decisions/turnovers and flashed a lot of immature behavior, Joe and Marvin had a bad series, Bibby didn’t do a lot and we had ZERO spark. Nobody got these guys fired up to play. The solution? A new coach with an aggressive style. Orlando is a great example. How long do those guys hang on to the ball on offense? They don’t. They keep it moving. Lots of organized motion to set up guys for good shots. Up tempo. Our team is young and we can run.Woodson has taken us this far, now we need a guy who can close the deal. Joe Johnson is a fine player. He’s played a major part in the team’s steady progress. IF he gets re-signed we have to use him differently on offense The Iso-Joe doesn’t win playoff games. The Iso-Joe play needs to be burned and never seen again.
In a nutshell, here’s my realistic off season to do list for the Hawks:
1. A new coach with an up tempo style to take advantage of team’s youth and athleticism on offense AND defense.
2. If Joe stays, throw a way every play he’s ever run for the team. If he goes we need a true PG and a loud VOCAL leader for this team. I hope Jeff Teague gets a shot. Lets hope summer ball gets him ready.
Greg
May 10th, 2010
11:48 pm
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “A team is a reflection of their coach”. When your team lacks any sort of discernable game plan, lacks discipline and lacks the courage to deal with adversity, a coach who has been with the team as long as Woodson has been with the Hawks is going to be held accountable. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to get rid of the players we need to get rid of….no one in their right mind would pay Bibby and Marvin what the Hawks are paying them. The Hawks have $40 million tied up in those two guys over this season and the next two. SICKENING!
Blake
May 10th, 2010
11:50 pm
I don’t think the Hawks ever believed they could beat Orlando!
Greg
May 10th, 2010
11:55 pm
Teague’s got that punk, whiny attitude just like Josh Smith. He’s not a leader. He’ll go the way of Acie Law in a couple of years. Another high first round failure for the Hawks. That said, you’ve got to give him a shot. Bibby is washed up and shouldn’t be on the floor more than 15 minutes a game.
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
11:56 pm
Last thing… Do you guys think Joe’s thumb was 100%?
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
2:01 am
Snowman — What’s the deal in making this about me? If Mike Woodson loses his job, it’s not going to be because of me. It’ll be because Rick Sund and ownership made that decision for whatever criteria they use. It’s certainly not going to be because of something I wrote. And what do you know about my relationship with Rick Sund? Tell us, Snowman. Enlighten us. Tell us what gems Mike Woodson is feeding you. This should be good.
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Snowman
May 12th, 2010
6:25 am
Jeff, you have ripped Woody all season and for the matter the last 3 seasons. How can you NEVER write anything good about him and how can you NEVER hold Rick accountable? That is my biggest problem with you. You don’t think Rick has some fault in they way this team is configured and the season ended? Woody’s record this season leading this team was incredible after seeing this series and some of these players really exposed. How did he cover that up in the regular season?
Woody led his team to a 34-7 record at home,53-29 overall 5th BEST in Hawk history, 3rd place finish in the East, swept the Celtics, came from down 3-2 to the Bucks and won last two games by 20, and put Al and Joe in the all-star game, Jamal was 6th man of the year, Josh runner-up defensive player of the year (please, I don’t understand that), all while NOT having resources that the other clubs had that made moves and added players at the trade deadline or in the off-season for that matter (except of course Jamal). I think Woody has done and did an INCREDIBLE job this season and I know you know that.
For those accomplishments you want him fired? Did you have a better year than he did at your job? Should you be fired? When you ask Woody questions at the press conferences about his year what does he say to you? C’mon Jeff you and I both know you have not been fair and all of expect from you or anyone who covers the Hawks (like Bradley, like Cunningham, like Sekou last season) is fair and of course some entertainment. I believe you deal from the bottom of the deck and to that you should be ashamed. On that, I will sail into the sunset and close by saying I am proud of the Hawks accomplishments this season and the progress they have made every season for the last 5 so congrats Joe and coach Woodson and I hope you both are back next year!!!
Jeff Schultz
May 12th, 2010
9:28 am
Snowman — I absolutely believe this team has flaws. We’re in agreement there. Of course, whenever I’ve pointed out those flaws, you ripped me for being negative. That said, this team — even as constructed — should NOT have been pushed to the brink of elimination by Milwaukee and should NOT have been swept by a composite 101 points by Orlando. I stayed before these playoffs and again before the Orlando series — both in several radio interviews and in print — that the Hawks should not be expected to defeat the Magic but that they needed to be competitive. They weren’t. That combined with the Milwaukee series tells you something is wrong. Woody lost their attention. Now, if you want to put that on the players and not Woody, that’s fine. But as the saying goes, you can’t fire the whole team. Either the message was wrong or the message was lost. Either way, this team underachieved in the postseason. You and Woody have always wanted to make this personal. Trust me, I’ve got more important things in my life than whether Mike Woodson is coaching the Atlanta Hawks or not.
Snowman
May 12th, 2010
3:00 pm
Jeff, we do agree this team has flaws (finally!!!…PARTY!!!!). Now, who is responsible for that? Even if the coach is on some level to blame and I don’t think so, in this case, (of course I don’t…smile), you never seem to give the organization or Rick the same grief as you give coach Woodson. In fact, in light of the flaws of this team, Woody and the Hawks still won 53 games, 34-7 at home, swept the Celtics and came in 3rd in the east!!! Now that the flaws are clear I think Woody and his staff should have been coaches of the year (smile).
In the playoffs, especially in the 2nd round, there are other good coaches and good teams and they can ultimately exploit your weaknesses bigtime. We never matched up well with Orlando even in the regular season and in fact, in the 1st 3 games of the regular season (we actual won the 4th game 86-84), our average lost was by 22 points a game. Scores were 93-76, 113-81, and 104-86.
Until the Hawks make good or better personnel decisions and willingness to invest money, this is as good as we can hope to expect especially this season even if Phil Jackson or Red Auerbach was the coach. I also know Woodson and that coaching staff really, really work their fannie’s off. They really, really want to bring a championship to the ATL. We can agree to disagree where the blame should ultimately be placed and what percentage of blame. However you admitted the Hawks were going to lose and we are just splitting hairs about by how much and did Orlando just do a good job exploiting our weaknesses and (as much as I love him) Joe had a tough series.